Care provider banned after ‘appalling’ death

The organisation responsible for providing care to a woman who died in “appalling circumstances” has been banned by the NDIS watchdog.

The organisation responsible for providing care to a disabled woman who died in what the NDIS watchdog says were “appalling circumstances” has had its registration revoked.

Anne Marie Smith

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner says it has banned Integrity Care SA from providing any NDIS supports after the death of 54-year-old Anne-Marie Smith on April 6.

Ms Smith, who had cerebral palsy, died after suffering septic shock, organ failure, malnutrition and pressure sores.

A worker employed by Integrity Care has been charged over her death.

The banning order, which comes into force on August 21, means Integrity Care can no longer provide supports or services to anyone receiving NDIS services.

The registration revocation takes effect on August 14.

Integrity Care was advised of the action against it early in June and was given time to respond.

It had previously been fined $12,600 for a failure to notify the commission of Ms Smith’s death within 24 hours.

The ban comes comes after the commission found Integrity Care had contravened the NDIS act, which requires providers to provide supports and services in a safe and competent manner, and with care and skill.

“Our first priority has been the safety of the other NDIS participants supported by Integrity Care during our investigation,” Commissioner Graeme Head said in a statement.

“We issued a compliance notice requiring Integrity Care to engage an independent, suitably qualified health professional to undertake a physical welfare check on the NDIS participants they support.

“The NDIS Commission has also worked with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to make contact with all NDIS participants receiving support from Integrity Care, to check on their wellbeing.”

The NDIS commission says it is continuing investigations into Integrity Care and could take further regulatory action as more information comes to hand.

Integrity Care declined to comment when contacted by Community Care Review.

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Tags: anne-marie-smith, integrity-care, ndis,

1 thought on “Care provider banned after ‘appalling’ death

  1. This is an example of rushed implementation, reducing the number of staff actively involved (getting out from behind a desk) in monitoring program participants and relying on desk top auditing and self reporting by agencies. More unannounced personal audits required

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